--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NAPSW)—The next time you’re looking for creative ways to enhance some
of your kids’ go-to favorites, consider this: Snacking now accounts for
more than half of all eating occasions in the U.S. Parents are
increasingly challenged to create quick bites that give kids the energy
and nutrition they need.

The good news is that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. With fresh
mango, it’s easy to transform kitchen staples into snack time
adventures. Mango is available year-round and its versatility makes it
an excellent addition to your family’s meal plan. It’s packed with
fiber, vitamins and minerals and all for just 100 calories per cup.

Stacking nutrient-rich mango and berries with dessert items such as
brownies and marshmallows on a kebab can make for fun treats for kids to
prepare. Mango popsicles are another popular go-to treat. Just puree
fresh-cut mango in a blender or food processor, pour into ice cube
trays, insert a Popsicle stick and freeze.

When selecting a mango, don’t judge the fruit by its color. Instead,
squeeze it gently to find a ripe mango that “gives” slightly like a
peach or avocado. Store your ripe mangos for up to a week in the
refrigerator until you’re ready to whip up your favorite snack or keep
slices and cubes frozen for up to six months in an airtight container.

Just like adults, kids eat with their eyes first, so it can be fun to
turn a traditional personal-size pizza into a Lion Pizza with mango and
red bell pepper slices for the mane. The sweet and slightly tangy mango
is a good substitute for tomato, making it a natural complement to
Italian-style dishes.

You can even pair this Lion Pizza with a viewing of Disney’s “The Jungle
Book”—available for the first time on Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital HD
on February 11—and you’re likely to create a roaring good time that your
kids won’t forget.

Now that you’re in the party mood, think about an adventure-filled,
five-night vacation for your family. You can “like” Mango Board on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/mangoboard and
enter the Jungle Jetsetter Giveaway for your chance to win a Funjet
Vacations family getaway to Punta Cana with all-inclusive accommodations
at the RIU Palace Punta Cana courtesy of Funjet Vacations.

Preheat oven to 350° F. Spread 1⁄4 cup pizza sauce on one
side of each pita. Sprinkle 1⁄8 cup mozzarella cheese in the
center of each pita. Sprinkle 1⁄8 cup cheddar cheese around
the outer edge of each pita. Place two pepperoni slices in the middle of
each pita and top with two olive slices to make the lion’s eyes.
Alternate mango and red pepper strips around the edge of each pita,
creating the lion’s mane. Add a mushroom slice in the center of each
pizza for the lion’s nose. Place the pitas on a large baking sheet and
bake for 8 minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and let
cool for 2–3 minutes. Serve warm.